Chapter 648 - 58: Parasite

Chapter 648: Chapter 58: Parasite

"In a month, the budget will multiply by ten. In two months, by a hundred. In three months, the Society of Truth will be bankrupt."

"And when that happens, she will still lose."

Sebastian fell silent.

Although what Leonardo said was a gross exaggeration, he had to admit that Leonardo had a point.

However, he knew all too well that there was a hidden meaning in Leonardo’s words—

If the Society of Truth went bankrupt, if Cheris lost, if the organization was forced to restructure...

Then who would be the new president?

Who would be the Douglas Clan’s new representative in this organization?

Sebastian stared at Leonardo’s back, his heart a turmoil of mixed emotions.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

"Young Master is right. The Lady... is indeed too stubborn. If she had recognized the situation earlier, perhaps the losses would have been much smaller."

Leonardo turned his head, glanced at him, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"You’re a sharp one."

Sebastian lowered his head, not daring to let Leonardo see the emotion in his eyes.

"You flatter me, Young Master."

...

Just then, a knock came at the door.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

Sebastian frowned slightly. Just as he was about to speak, the door was gently pushed open.

A middle-aged man in a gray uniform walked in, a hint of urgency on his face.

Leonard Gray.

The deputy head of the logistics department, responsible for allocating Dimensional Energy throughout the headquarters.

Leonard caught sight of the unfamiliar young man on the sofa out of the corner of his eye. He paused for a fraction of a second, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, before quickly walking to Sebastian’s side.

Sebastian noticed his hesitation and said in a low voice,

"What is it? Just say it."

Leonard swallowed and lowered his voice.

"Sir, the Dimensional Energy reserves... are a bit tight."

Sebastian’s frown deepened.

"Tight? If they’re tight, then apply for a reallocation. You have to come ask me about this?"

Leonard quickly said, "No, Sir, it’s... it’s the consumption from the President’s room. It’s not normal."

Leonardo, who had been leaning against the back of the sofa in boredom, twitched his emerald eyes slightly upon hearing this.

Sebastian’s heart tightened. He subconsciously wanted to stop Leonard from continuing.

But he glanced at Leonardo, thought about the Society of Truth’s current situation, and swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He knew, of course, what Leonard was trying to do.

’He’s just an opportunist, trying to curry favor with the young Douglas master to secure his own future.’

Sebastian had never liked people like him.

But in the current situation, with Lady Cheris trapped in a plane, financial losses immense, and the Society of Truth in turmoil...

’Even if she manages to return, with losses this great, she’ll probably have to report back to her clan, leave the Society of Truth, and be shelved for a while.’

’When that happens, where will people like us, who depend on the Society of Truth, go?’

Sebastian fell silent.

He didn’t stop him.

Seeing this, Leonard grew bolder and continued,

"Sir, the Dimensional Energy consumption from the President’s room has been absurdly high recently. Logically, since the Lady isn’t here, the room should only contain her new student—a Level 2 Life Form. He shouldn’t be consuming this much."

Leonardo finally spoke, his voice tinged with amusement.

"Oh? And what do you think is going on?"

Leonard turned, bowed respectfully to Leonardo, and his expression grew even more sycophantic.

"Young Master, this... I wouldn’t dare to jump to conclusions. But logically speaking, a single Level 2 Life Form, even if he were cultivating around the clock, couldn’t consume that much Dimensional Energy."

"But the consumption in that room is more than ten times the normal amount. If it’s not for some special research, then it must be..."

He didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone present understood the unspoken implication.

Leonardo raised an eyebrow. "It must be what?"

Leonard gritted his teeth and decided to be blunt.

"It must be that someone is using the President’s name to embezzle the organization’s resources."

He sighed, his tone filled with feigned distress.

"Young Master, as you know, business is business and personal is personal; the two can’t be mixed. When the President was here, we naturally didn’t dare say much. But now that she’s gone, there has to be some accountability for the consumption in that room—who is using it, and for what, right?"

"Besides, Young Master, you might not be aware, but that student the President took in not long ago... is said to have transformed from a sword picked up at an auction house. A sword, Young Master! And although the Imperial government..."

He stole a glance at Leonardo. Seeing no expression on the young man’s face, his mind was made up.

’This young master of the Douglas Clan has been dissatisfied with Cheris for a long time. And his attitude toward Otherworld beings...’

’Heh, does that even need to be said?’

’He’s probably one of the Imperial traditionalists.’

He continued with confidence,

"...is implementing new policies and encouraging the acceptance of Otherworld beings, but something with an unknown origin like this should be thoroughly investigated, shouldn’t it?"

"Without a thorough investigation, who knows if it’s dangerous? Who knows if it’s a spy sent by some hostile power? Who knows if he’ll take advantage of the President’s absence to cause trouble in the Society of Truth’s headquarters?"

"Look at this abnormal consumption now—it’s probably that Otherworld being up to no good, plotting something sinister!"

At this, he let out a long sigh, as if he were genuinely concerned for the interests of the Society of Truth.

"Young Master, the Society of Truth is in financial difficulty right now. Everyone knows that. As the leader, the President should be leading by example."

He paused.

"But the problem is, the Lady is currently in the Kronos plane, yet her room is consuming far more Dimensional Energy than normal. What if she returns and refuses to acknowledge it..."

Leonard subconsciously shrank his neck. "...and says it was normal consumption? Who’s going to foot that bill?"

Leonardo leaned back against the sofa, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"So?"

Leonard swallowed, knowing he had no way out.

"So... we need to get evidence first. Confirm what exactly is happening in that room, and confirm whether that Dimensional Energy is truly being used appropriately. That way, even if the Lady wants to deny it when she returns, we’ll have something to say."

He paused, then quickly added, his expression growing more earnest,

"Of course, Young Master, I believe the Lady would never deny it; after all, she has always been fair and impartial. But we must also prevent the Society of Truth’s assets from being further depleted. I’m sure that if the Lady were here, she would support us in doing this."

Upon hearing this, Leonardo chuckled softly.

The laugh was quiet, but it instantly sent a layer of cold sweat beading on Leonard’s back.

But Leonardo didn’t get angry.

Instead, he nodded, a hint of appreciation in his voice.

"Well said. That’s how things should be done. With evidence and an explanation, your position is solid."

Leonard was overjoyed, but he didn’t dare let it show on his face, merely bowing even more respectfully.

Leonardo stood up, adjusted the cuffs of his Magic Robe, and looked at Sebastian.

"Sebastian, you’re the student of the Society of Truth’s vice president, and you’re in charge of the headquarters. Tell me, are we overthinking this, or... should we really investigate?"

Sebastian’s back tensed. ’You’ve already stood up,’ he thought. ’You’re not asking for my opinion, you’re forcing me to take a side.’

He lowered his gaze, avoiding Leonardo’s eyes, his voice so level it betrayed no emotion. "Everything... is as the Young Master commands."

Leonardo chuckled softly, the sound exceptionally clear in the quiet reception room. "Good. Then let’s go hear the ’Young Master’s commands’."

He patted Leonard’s shoulder. "Lead the way."

Leonard’s heart pounded wildly, but he plastered the brightest smile on his face and said loudly,

"Yes! This way, Young Master!"

He turned and walked ahead, his steps so light he almost seemed to be skipping.

Sebastian followed behind, watching Leonard’s eager back with a wave of complex emotions.

There was contempt, disdain, and a thread of indescribable sorrow.

But he said nothing.

He just followed silently, heading down the corridor that led to the President’s room.